Improvement in car-springs



UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

GEORGE F. GODIEY, OF NEWT YGRK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAR-SPRINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patentl No. 137,300, dated April l, 1573; af plcation filed July 27, 187e.

To all -zr/Lom it may concern:

Be it known that l, GEORGE F. GODLEY, ofthe city of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented an Improved Gar Spring and Case, designed for sustaining light loads as well as heavy loads, havin g no dead-points, of which the following is a speciiication:

Nature of the Invention.

The nature of my invention relates to the application of duplex spiral springs so con'- structed and arran ged that one shall be larger in diameter than the other, and placed longitudinally oneV above the other and separated by a diaphragm-plate at the ends of contact, sli ghtl y circular cups or recesses to be made in the said diaphragm-plate for the reception of the ends of the spiral springs, thus holding them in a positive vertical position, one immediately above the other, and avoiding the possibility of friction by ever coming in conta-ct with the case which surrounds the whole. The case is constructed of two parts, one within the other, and moving freely likethejoint of a telescope, and the sides thereof are made to conform to the several spiral springs of which the whole is composed, thus giving it strength, compactness, durability, and elfectiveness.

The Object.

Description of the Accompanying Drawing.

Figure l represents a central sectional elevation of my improved case A and its follower U and diaphragm-plate F with the several cups for all the springs. Fig. 2 represents a similar section with the larger and the smaller springs in place. In bothl these figures the box A is above and surmounts the follower, and this is their position when in use, and dust cannot collect in the box, as it must drop out by gravity. Fig. 3 is a view looking downward into the case, (supposing its top to be cut away,) and showin g its exterior and interior form, and also showingthe position ofthe cups or recesses D for the reception of the smaller springs H H, and the points of contact E E of the follower C with the ribs of the case. Fig/.1L is an inverted plan of the outside case, showing the cups or recesses B B, Snc., for the reception of the larger spiral springs. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the follower G.

The case A should be made of metal, and of suiiicient strength and thickness to stand the weight and strain of .a railroad car. In the top of this case, at its inner side, I make four or more recesses, B B B B, Figs. l and 4, for the reception of the upper ends of the large springs G G, Fig. 2. The sides of this case are made to conform approximately, as seen, to the group of spiral springs employed, forming thus a4 corrugated box havingribs g, there being as many selnicircular or arched projections, and consequently as many ribs as there are sprin gs in the group more th an four of which, or as many as desired, may be used. I next construct of metal the follower G, which is made to t loosely into the case, and to conform in general to the shape of the inside thereof, except at the points E E, where and only where they come in contact with and touch the ribs g of the case by the motion or vibration of the car, leavin g a small free space around the curved exterior parts of the follower and between these parts and the case, as seen at x in Fig. 3. The object of this is to avoid friction and prevent the springs from coming in contact with any part of the case, thus avoiding all lateral pressure and permitting the springs to expand and contract with freedom; consequently they are never injured by wear or friction. I next construct the diaphragm-plate F, Fig. 3, into which I make the recesses B B to conform to those in the top of the case at B B, Fig. 3, and on the other side are similar recesses D D to correspond with those at D D in the follower C, Fig. 3. Into these cups or recesses the ends of the several springs are rmly held'and kept in their proper position, as shown at Gr G and H H, Fig. 4. The several springs (as many as may be desired) are next constructed of Jthe necessary size and tension for the required weight, one

halt' of which nulnber should be made twenty per cent. (more or less as the nature of the cars for passengers or freight may demand) larger and less powerful than the others, said large springs to be placed at the top ofthe case A A, as shown at G G, Fig. 2, and the smaller springs at the bottom, as at I-I H, Fig. 2, with the diaphragm-plate F between the two sets of springs.

It is evident from the construction of the diaphragm-plate F and the location of the several recesses B B D D, Fig. 4i, that the smaller springs H H are in a vertical and direct line immediately under the larger springs G G, thus preventing any friction, the action of the larger springs giving a soft and easy motion to a light car, while the smaller springs are held as an auxiliary for any reserved weight or blow; and neither set of springs has any liability of coming in contact laterallyv with -the case at any point or under any conditions.

In the construction ofthe springs care should be taken that the ends thereof should cut di rectly across or square with the sides and without drawing down or grinding them oil', the

. top and bottom coils are then bent so that the spring will stand upright, its ends forming a level seat and at right angles toits axis. This s an essential feature, as the ends are not only not weakened or reduced, but the last coil ot, say, three-quartersot a circle not being in the form of a spiral, but bent like a ring, affords a broad bed or base for the spring; and hence there is but little wear at this point or liability to break away, and there is the smallest possible risk of chaing of the end ot1 the spring against its bed.

By my construction I have produced a carspring that is applicable to a light or heavy weight, easily constructed, free from dust, readily applied, and doubly elastic in its operation.

I. claiml. The lmovable diaphragm-plate F, constructed with cups on one face of a diameter or size greater than those on its opposite side, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The follower C having bearing-points E, and adapted to enter and move within the under side ofthe case, and constructed with cups upon its upper side to receive spiral springs and hold them from contact with the sides of the case.

3. The combination, with the diaphragmplate F, of the two sets of spiral springs G and H,those of one set having a diameter or power ditt'erent from those of the other set.

4. A follower constructed with bearingpoints E, combined with a case having ribs g, which, when in contact with E, leave spaces at' between the follower and its case, substanas and for the purpose set forth.

5. 'Ihe case A, constructed with rounded parts to receive the spirals and follower, and with the ribs g to form bearing-points, as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a car-spring, the combination with the cups to receive the spiral springs at their extremities of the springs having their ends cut and coiled as described, and thus forming their own seats, and requiring no grinding or reducing or any holes to receive their tips.

GEORGE F. GODLEY.

W'itnesses:

EDW. R. ROBINSON, J. W. BRYCE. 

